The Newcastle Herald's Hunter Photography Prize is back for 2026. Amateur photographers in the Hunter Region are invited to submit their best shots for a chance to win major camera gear vouchers. Enter by January 20.
Tributes flow for Melissa Austin, 45, who drowned at a NSW beach. Her death is part of a tragic cluster of coastal fatalities, prompting urgent water safety warnings.
A multi-agency search resumes for a 25-year-old man at Coogee and a 14-year-old boy at Palm Beach after separate incidents. Authorities issue urgent warnings after multiple drownings on the NSW coast. Stay informed and stay safe.
A 35-year-old Irish tourist has died in a drowning at Queensland's Whitehaven Beach. Police are investigating as the Whitsundays community mourns the tragic start to the new year.
Newcastle and Hunter residents welcomed 2026 with good behaviour, police report. No major incidents marred celebrations, in stark contrast to Sydney's arrests. Read the full report.
Goodlife Church Toronto has lodged a DA to relocate to Grattoir Place, aiming to accommodate its expanding community with Sunday services for up to 100 people.
A key bridge on the Fernleigh Track near Whitebridge has been closed after vandals set it alight, marking the latest in a spate of destructive acts across Lake Macquarie. A detour is in place.
Lake Macquarie City Council navigated a pivotal 2025, marked by a CEO departure, a united front on housing, and emerging political shifts. Read our full review of the year's key events.
NSW Police launch one of their largest annual operations to ensure safety at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens New Year's Eve events. Plan your travel and stay safe.
As Newcastle reviews its public toilets, locals highlight the lack of soap and inadequate facilities for the ageing and disabled. Read why these basic amenities are a public health necessity.
A 16-year-old from Fassifern has landed a colossal 55cm bream on Christmas Day, believed to be one of the biggest ever caught in Lake Macquarie. Read the full story of this remarkable catch.
A young man was saved from drowning on Christmas morning at Shoal Bay. His family now seeks the stranger who performed life-saving CPR. Read the dramatic story and vital water safety warning.
A $1 million Lotto prize from a ticket bought at Cameron Park Newsagency is still unclaimed. Meanwhile, a Wyong man wins nearly $1 million. Check your tickets now!
A small fire at The Shed Cafe in Watagan Park Central, Cooranbong, led to a temporary evacuation and closure on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services responded quickly, with no injuries reported.
Speers Point couple Tim Binns and Frances Beaumont forced to retire their yacht Titoki from the Sydney to Hobart due to multiple defects and a battery fire. Read their story and see how other local boats are faring.
Lake Macquarie City Council awards Daracon Group the contract to expand the Awaba Waste Management Facility, adding over a decade of capacity for 220,000 residents. Construction starts 2026.
A 12-year-old girl has tragically died in hospital nearly two days after being found unresponsive in the water at Perth's Trigg Beach. The community is in mourning.
WA authorities urge vigilance as heatwave hits. Over 40% of toddler drownings occur in home pools. Check your fence, close the gate, and maintain constant supervision.
Delta Electricity faces a $1 million fine after a court found it guilty of causing a 2022 fish kill at Mannering Park. The ruling follows a major EPA prosecution.
A quick-thinking parent and corrections officer tackled a pitch invader who knocked down an umpire during a junior cricket match in Port Macquarie. Read the full story of the dramatic incident.
Royal Life Saving Australia urges vigilance as nearly 20 drownings occurred last Christmas-New Year period. Experts warn of hidden dangers at rivers, lakes, and unpatrolled beaches.
Newcastle Herald readers share views on Bondi tragedy heroes, inclusive toilets, climate action, and local parking woes. Read diverse community opinions.
Professional storyteller Jo Henwood captivates audiences at West Wallsend Cemetery, unearthing 130 years of local history. Plus, a national treasure status for Newcastle's maritime collection.
For the first time, endangered Little Terns have nested on Blacksmiths beach near Newcastle. Conservationists hail the milestone and urge beachgoers to protect the fragile site.
A 19-year-old man has died after being found unresponsive in Logue Brook Dam near Harvey. Emergency services were called to the popular camping spot early Saturday morning.
A new coastal walkway masterplan is being developed to connect Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast, promising a boost for recreation and tourism. Discover the proposed route and timeline.
Lake Macquarie's historic Awaba House, gutted by fire in 2019, is set to reopen in mid-2026 as a premier dining destination under The Catering Group, promising local food and community focus.
A fisherman has died and another is missing off Cape Jaffa. The tragic incident comes as new data shows a 48% surge in drowning deaths among over-65s across Australia.
A 32-year-old Swansea man faces court over allegedly displaying a prohibited Nazi symbol on a boat in a public place. Police seized two vessels during their investigation.
Police are investigating after a 43-year-old man was found dead near Wyee Farms Road at Lake Macquarie. A postmortem will determine the cause of death.